Just my thoughts on all things Soccer.
"I guess I've never viewed soccer as some sort of controlled substance. To me, it's probably more like Nutella. The rest of the world clearly loves it and puts it on almost everything, but here in America we're like, "I don't know, man, it tastes like almonds."

Wednesday, July 19, 2006

MLS Week 16 Power Ratings

It's been a month since I've done one of these, so it feels good to be back. Here are the MLS power ratings as I see them

1. DC United - If you can't argue with success then there should be nothing but calm in DC. Their defense dropped a bit this weekend, but their offense was able to counter.

2. Houston Dynamo - For awhile it looked like FC Dallas was going to run away with the West, but Houston has put the puzzle back together, with Dwayne De Rosario as their center piece.

3. FC Dallas - After a poor start to the month, FCD proved they are still a team to watch in Chicago. However, all their injuries are starting to bring back images of 2005.

4. Los Angeles Galaxy - What a turn around LA has seen. Ever since Landon decided he had something to prove, the Galaxy have been up to their old ways. However, can Donovan stay motivated?

5. Colorado Rapids - I never thought the Rapids would be sitting so high this deep in the season, but there they are. They are putting together some action in their midfield, but if they want to move up, they will have to win some on the road (1-5-1 so far).

6. New England Revolution - This team is the seesaw of the league. One week they work, the next they week they are flat on the ground. A good road win against Chicago showed the team had power up front, but dropping one at home to Real Salt Lake shows the team can miss as much as hit.

7. Chivas USA - About a month ago, the goats were looking hot, but as their offense disappeared (1 goal in 4 MLS matches), so did their heat. They still have quality, but like many teams in the middle of this list, they don't always show up.

8. Chicago Fire - Chicago 2006 is starting to look like Dallas 2005. Both teams did alright during the first part of the season, but Dallas feel apart once they moved into their new home. Chicago has lost 2 of their 5 home MLS matches due in large part to poor defense. Sharpen that backline and they have a good chance at second in the East.

9. Columbus Crew - The Crew are improving, but they still have a long way to go. Getting 2 goals off DC shows something, but all and all, they have no big threats in front of goal.

10. Real Salt Lake - This team has big downs with small ups in between. The month of the World Cup saw the team get just 2 points and 2 goals in 6 matches, but then last weekend, they tear apart the Revs on the road. If this is like their other ups, it should last about two more games.

11. New York Red Bull - Nothing is really working for the Red Bulls. With even new coach Bruce Arena saying don't expect much this year, one cannot expect much. If Amado Guevara can live up to even half of his talent, then they have a chance, but even with that, it will be a hard time in New York.

12. Kansas City Wizards - How can a team with Eddie Johnson, Jimmy Conrad, Josh Wolff and Bo Oshoniyi lose 6 in a row? The answer, no midfield and boring play. KC needs a revolution. Anything short of that and it's going to be a long road till October.